It has been a while since my last blog about our enhanced listing services.  I still get a lot of questions about how it works and what the benefits are, so I thought it would be a good idea to explain it again.  Over the course of the past year, our directory was searched an average of more than 14,000 times each month, proving that Source of Title is still the premier source for finding independent title professionals.  But, without an enhanced listing, many of them may not be finding your company.

First, let me point out a few of the reasons to be listed in our directory.  Then I'll explain why the enhanced listing is such a great opportunity to promote your business.

1. POPULARITY OF THE SOURCE OF TITLE DIRECTORY:
   The directory was searched more than 14,000 times each month, on average, over the course of the past 12 months.  With more than 6,900 companies listed and more than 16,900 registered users with access to the directory, it has become the most popular resource for locating independent title professionals.
2. NATIONAL EXPOSURE:
   A listing on Source of Title provides national exposure for your business.  Compare that to a listing in your local Yellow Pages, which only circulates in your local counties.  Potential clients from around the country can find your listing on Source of Title.
3. AVAILABLE 24/7, 365 DAYS A YEAR:
   Once listed, your company remains in the directory to be seen by potential clients for as long as it remains active.  Compare that to direct mail.  Although it can be effective, direct mail is a one-time hit.  If a potential client isn't looking for you when they receive your mailing, it most likely gets trashed.  With a listing in our directory, your potential clients can find you anytime they are in need of your services.
4. BASIC LISTINGS ARE FREE!
   There is no cost to add your business to our national directory.  Of course, enhanced listings provide extra benefit (discussed below) for an annual fee starting at only $99 per year. 

Now, I'll explain why you could be getting much more business with an enhanced listing and why upgrading your listing is such a great value.

1. MORE POTENTIAL CLIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR LISTING:
   With a free listing, only registered users who have purchased a subscription (for $199/year) have access to all of the free listings in our directory.  Of our more than 16,000 registered users, only slightly more than 250 have a subscription.  If you upgrade to an enhanced listing, all of our registered users can instantly view your contact information at no cost to them.  Because there are enhanced listings in every county in the country, many have realized that they can always find someone (one of your competitors, perhaps) for free.  If you don't have an enhanced listing, they won't be calling you.
2. PREFERRED PLACEMENT:
   The enhanced listings appear in bold, above the free listings.  Being at the top of list means that even companies with subscriptions may be finding competitors before they scroll down far enough to find your listing.
3. LOW COST OF AN ENHANCED LISTING:
   Enhanced listings are based on the number of counties you cover and start at only $99/year.  Even a one-time direct mail campaign can cost several hundred dollars with the cost of printing and postage.  And, last time I checked a bold, single line listing in the local Yellow Pages was approximately $50/month ($600/year).  
   
   So, an enhanced listing could be less than alternative advertising costs and it has the added benefits of being perpetual and targeted to potential clients who are actively looking for independent title professionals, even those located several states away from you.
4. ONE NEW CLIENT COULD MORE THAN PAY FOR YOUR ENHANCED LISTING:
   How much is your average client bill each month?  Once you get an order from a new client, you are set up in their vendor list and they are more likely to come back to you again, rather than start the search process over for a new vendor.  If you add just one new client from one of those 14,000 searches in a given month, it would quickly pay for the cost of the enhanced listing and potentially provide returns for years to come.
5. 300% MORE LIKELY TO GET NOTICED
   Enhanced listings are viewed 300% more often than the average listing for all companies.  Your odds of landing a new client are 300% better than average if you have an enhanced listing.

It isn't hard to see why an enhanced listing gives an edge to companies that have taken the step to upgrade.  With enhanced listings available in every county in the country, if you don't have one you could be losing business to your competitors. 

Those 168,000+ directory searches every year represent a lot of potential clients looking for a title professional to provide services.  You can maximize your chances of having them locate your business with an enhanced listing.  Odds are that most of those searching the directory don't have a subscription and you have to ask yourself this: Will they be willing to pay $199/year to get your phone number when they can get your competitor's number for free?  If you think that is unlikely, you can make your contact information available to all of our users by upgrading to an enhanced listing.  In essence, level the playing field between you and your competitors with and enhanced listing.

Hopefully, the worst of the recession is behind us and work will be picking up throughout this year. As your potential clients get more work, it makes sense to do everything you can to grow your business and pick up new work.  Many abstractors have gone out of business and new ones are starting new businesses.  This means that clients will be looking to update their vendor lists and it is a good time for you to add them as a new client.

For more detailed information on enhanced listings or to upgrade your listing, see http://www.sourceoftitle.com/enhanced.aspx.

Robert A. Franco
SOURCE OF TITLE